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So you’re wondering what are some of the coolest ceiling lights for the bedroom?
Well, look no further because in this article we will explore a few options for each of the architectural styles or designs your bedroom might have.
But first, let’s talk a bit about the importance of ambient light and the benefits or drawbacks of the most common ambient light sources.
What Is Ambient Light And Why Is It Important
If you follow this blog for a while, you know the importance of layering. Otherwise, worry not because we will talk about it briefly.
Layering is the use of many different light fixtures to serve different purposes. There are three main types of lighting:
- Ambient
- Task
- Accent
Ambient light is the main light of the room. It is used to see around the room properly and it usually consists of a single fixture (although there are exceptions to this).
Think of the first light you turn on when entering a room – that’s your ambient light.
Task lighting is the light used for performing tasks, such as ironing your clothes or reading a book in your bed. Activities like these need a separate light source.
This type of lighting should be used differently in each room, as the activities we perform are different.
Accent lighting is used to place emphasis in decorative elements or simply for the fun of it.
Think of picture/wall art lights, uplighters behind plants, or LED strips under your bed.
Now the reasons why ambient light is so important are somewhat obvious. You need it to see in the dark and make your room functional even at night time.
Pro Tip: Make sure to know how to calculate your ambient lumens before purchasing ceiling lights for the bedroom!
But that doesn’t mean that your ambient light source should be boring. In fact, there are many great ways to make it blend with the rest of your lighting scheme.
Most Stylish Ceiling Lights For The Bedroom
Chandeliers
Chandeliers are a very popular choice of ceiling lights for the bedroom. They can be traditional, transitional, or more modern.
The style you choose will depend on the architecture of your home.
Pro Tip: Don’t use more than two chandeliers in your home unless you have more than three bedrooms. In that case, you can use an extra chandelier for each bedroom.
Pendants
Pendants are also an excellent choice for the bedroom. Their biggest pro is that they don’t take up as much space, so they’re more discreet. That is often much needed in bedrooms.
If you decide to go with a pendant, again think of the overall design of your home and bedroom as there are plenty of choices available. Let’s look at a few:
Similar to wall sconces, don’t buy dissimilar pendants for the bedroom, as it looks tacky. Make sure you buy the same pendants or that they at least can work nicely together.
Finally, you don’t want to bump your head on the pendant every time you go to bed. Make sure the pendant hangs at least 55 inches (140 cm) over the bed.
This is a rough estimate based on the average bed height. Calculate your preferred hanging height based on your ceiling and bed heights.
Flush mount lights
Flush and semi-flush mount lights are ideal for low ceilings. If your bedroom has a low ceiling and a pendant or chandelier would hang too low, then look no further. Below there are two of my favorite choices of flush mount lights for the bedroom!
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are ideal if you want to freshen the air in your bedroom or live in warm climates. Their only two drawbacks are the noise and that they often don’t give enough light. (Remember: more blades = less noise)
Alternative Ceiling Lights For The Bedroom
Cove Lighting
Cove lighting is a really cool choice but it’s harder to install. Follow this guide by the Family Handyman if you need a hand!
Recessed Can Lights
Recessed can lights are also a very good choice, especially if your bedroom has a low ceiling.
To figure out how many recessed lights you need, divide your ceiling height by 2, and that’s the distance you should aim for between two lights.
So for example, if your ceiling height is 7 feet, your recessed can lights should be spaced 3.5 feet apart. The exact number of lights you will need depends on the area of your bedroom.
Don’t install them near the walls and keep them unobstructed because that would create weird and unflattering shadows! However, try to leave no dark corners.
Wrapping up
You now know why ambient light is so important in the bedroom. We saw how each type of fixture works as an ambient light source and a few cool alternatives that you can try out.
Ultimately, it is up to your personal preferences. Remember the tips above and you shouldn’t go wrong with your ceiling lights for the bedroom.
